In the relentless pursuit to explore and conquer outer space, humanity finds itself facing an unprecedented challenge right at home: the alarming proliferation of invasive species wreaking havoc on Earth.
A major new United Nations-backed report has recently warned that invasive species cost the world at least $423 billion every year as they drive plant and animal extinctions, threaten food security, and exacerbate environmental catastrophes across the globe.
An alien species usually becomes invasive when it establishes itself in new areas and creates a negative impact on the local biodiversity and ecosystems, including on people’s way of life.
According to the report, the severe global threat posed by invasive alien species today is underappreciated, underestimated, and often unacknowledged.
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control found that more than 37,000 alien species have been introduced by human activities to regions and biomes around the world. The report also reveals that alongside dramatic changes to biodiversity and ecosystems, the global economic cost of invasive alien species has at least quadrupled every decade since 1970.
Invasive alien species are one of the five major direct drivers of biodiversity loss globally, alongside land and sea-use change, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, and pollution.
In most cases, the reason for the spread of this kind of species outside its natural ecosystem is the desire of humans to capitalise on them whether for harvesting and utilisation purposes or even ecotourism, recreational activities, or scientific and medical research.
However, dealing with this matter without the proper caution can result in catastrophic consequences similar to what happened in the case of water hyacinths clogging up lakes and rivers in Africa, lionfish impacting local fisheries in the Caribbean, or the Giant African land snail taking over villages on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
The pace by which these species are accumulating damage around the ecosystem requires extra attention to their danger.
Halting the spread and mitigating the impact of invasive species requires a multifaceted approach that combines effective prevention, early detection, rapid response, and ongoing management strategies, including strengthening biosecurity measures, increasing public awareness and education, developing early detection and monitoring programs, and implementing rapid response protocols.
As invasive species know no boundaries, a global collaborative effort is necessary. Sharing information, expertise, and best practices among countries and international organisations can facilitate effective management and control of invasive species.
Of course, it’s also a matter that can represent a chance for the science community to prove their credentials and help to enhance understanding of invasive species biology, impacts, and control methods. Science, research, and innovation can help in restoring impacted ecosystems or adapting to some changes caused by those species.
Some may feel annoyed by some expected strict regulations that should be in place to prevent the unintentional introduction of invasive species through international trade, transportation, and travel. Placing more emphasis on quarantines, inspections, and risk assessments can help intercept potential invaders.
However, adopting a comprehensive and proactive approach, along with international co-operation seems to be the only effective way that can work towards preventing the further proliferation of invasive species, protecting our delicate ecosystems, and safeguarding the future of our planet.
It is a troubling irony that while we dream of conquering new frontiers, we must face the harsh reality that we are failing to protect the very home we originated from.
